Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Kansas City

I'm sorry it has taken me so long to make this post. Ben and I were home only for a few days after our KC trip before we (just the 2 of us) went to Birmingham for several days. Ben had a convention at a resort on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. I went for "moral support" and to enjoy the resort. It was such a refreshing time for us. We enjoyed relaxing by the pool and watching everyone swim, but realized it would be a different kind of fun if Hampton had been there. Thanks Mom for keeping Hampton and blessing us with some alone time!!!

Our trip to Kansas City was great. Hampton and I left on a Tuesday to visit Jerry, Julee, Carolina and Olivia (my aunt, uncle and cousins). We had fun playing in the basement, watching the girls swim, swimming in the pool, trying to play with Grizz and just relaxing at the house. The most exciting event was Hampton's first tube ride and playing in the lake. He liked the tube, but tried to climb out into the water when we were going slow. He did much better when we went a little faster. Julee and the girls kept Hampton and sent me to get a pedicure. It was fun to go by myself. Thank you girls! Ben joined us on Thursday evening. We had a great dinner and a relaxing sunset on the dock. I was thankful for some awesome conversations with both Jerry and Julee. Carolina is such a little mommy. She loved Hampton and wanted to help in any way she could. Olivia enjoyed him, but enjoyed time away too...I totally understand.



So much fun with Carolina and Olivia



Ready for the lake




First tube ride




Mommy and Me




So cute in his life jacket



Climbing the ladder



Precious faces




After the lake


Hampton was so glad to see Daddy. They played hard and he was all smiles when Daddy was there. I am so thankful that he loves his daddy so much and that they have such a fun relationship. However, I wish he would be that excited to see me!






Oh the stairs...





Tackling Daddy



Olivia could really make him laugh.




After our visit at Jerry and Julee's we moved to Kelly and David's (Ben's sister and her husband). Hampton enjoyed seeing his cousins, but was a little more excited about climbing the stairs. Their house has an awesome basement with all kinds of fun toys for kiddos. Hampton liked playing down there and Madison was a huge help keeping him away from the steps. Ben worked at the corporate office on Friday and Kelly and I took the kids to the pool. As usual, Hampton loved the water. Kelly had a "swim ring" for him to wear and he loved it. It gave him more independence. We spent a good portion of our day on Saturday at the PaySpot family picnic. Hampton got to take his first swings at a pinata. It was fun to meet Jamie and his family (Ben's boss). They are a neat family. Sunday was a relaxing day. We went to church, ate lunch at Bravo and hung out at the house. Hampton and I took short naps while Kelly, David and Ben installed a new, fancy TV up stairs. WE LOVE YOU SHEWMAKERS!!!




Tough to get a group shot with a 14 month old who wants to swim




He loved the "bug catcher." He would look in from in the pool and then climb out to see it from the top.


poor kid...look at those dorky ear plugs




Oh Elizabeth



He carried around all the goggles he could find.



"Look what came out of that thing...this would make my tummy feel so sick"


He loved to look at the jeep and climb on the jeep, but was not a fan when it moved.



Sweet Cousins


We have had so much fun seeing lots of family this summer, but are thankful for some time to rest before labor day.

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Photo Shoot with Kelly

We spent this past week in Kansas City with the J Dugan family and the Shewmakers. We had SOOOO much fun. Here are a few pics that my amazing sister-in-law took in her back yard. She is very talented!!! I will make an official post a little later today...hopefully.